Well, Okay!

The #32 overall prospect in the 2017 class, behemoth Ft. Lauderdale (FL) American Heritage OT Tedarrell Slaton, unexpectedly named Michigan his leader last week to 247's Ryan Bartow. Steve Lorenz caught up with Slaton this week to get some more detail ($):

"Michigan is at the top," he said. "I had some interest in Michigan originally, but when they hired Coach Harbaugh, it went to a different level. I want to play for a coach like him who knows how to win not just in college, but in the pros. How much better prepared can you get than to play for someone who knows what it takes at all levels of the game? They have a lot of NFL experience on their staff overall and Coach Harbaugh was one of my favorite NFL coaches to begin with because I've always liked the 49ers."

Slaton is looking to visit for a game this fall along with fellow 2017 Heritage OT Kai-Leon Herbert, who also holds a Michigan offer. There's a long way to go, but since Slaton already holds offers from the likes of Florida State, Florida, LSU, and Alabama, it's encouraging to hear Michigan is in contention at this juncture, let alone out in front.

The Wolverines have also taken the lead for three-star 2017 GA RB Kurt Taylor, who visited earlier this month, picked up an offer, and gave his reaction to Scout's Chad Simmons:

"Michigan is definitely No. 1 so far," Taylor said shortly after he got the offer. "I loved it [at Michigan] and coach [Jim] Harbaugh spent a lot of time with me."

Harbaugh told Taylor that he reminded him of Frank Gore and Walter Payton.

Fred Jackson may no longer be on the staff, but his spirit remains.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]

"Hi, I'm At Your House"

Four-star TX DT Chris Daniels was reportedly set to visit yesterday. That's clearly what the coaching staff expected; when Daniels showed up on Monday, it came as a surprise, per Lorenz ($):

Got a text from Euless (TX) Trinity DT Chris Daniels saying he is on Michigan's campus...sorta. He's standing outside the Big House trying to call the coaches.

Michigan was 100% expecting Daniels on Wednesday and were not aware he was in Ann Arbor until about 2 minutes ago.

As one would expect, Jim Harbaugh does just fine in scramble mode:

Coach Harbaugh says what's up  Had a great day at The University of Michigan #GOBLUE #Michigan pic.twitter.com/KCGOGmPce9

— Chris Daniels 7 (@clicclac97) August 10, 2015

Daniels, who was accompanied by his mother, later tweeted the visit "was a blast."

Equal Footing For Upshur

Four-star PA TE Naseir Upshur recently visited Florida State and South Carolina. He told Rivals' Adam Friedman four schools are at the top of his recruitment ($):

"Everybody is equal now," he said. "I got a chance to see Florida State and South Carolina. Now everybody is equal. Michigan, Florida State, South Carolina and Arizona State will be my official visits."

The general consensus is Upshur is trending to FSU since the Isaac Nauta decommitment. If there's a silver lining to be found here, it's that he didn't name the 'Noles as his outright leader following his visit there.

Another top target, four-star FL LB Devin Bush Jr., told 247's Keith Neibuhr three schools—Auburn, Florida State, and Michigan—are standing out ($). At the moment, his only scheduled official is to Auburn, but expect Michigan to get a shot, too.

Three-star FL WR Keyshawn "Pie" Young would go to Michigan over Alabama if forced to choose today, according to Rivals' Rob Cassidy ($). He plans to take all five officials and is eyeing the MSU game for his trip to Ann Arbor.

Four-star CA WR Dylan Crawford has been thought of as a longshot, but as he prepares to narrow his list he told Rivals' Adam Gorney that Michigan is very much in the mix ($):

As for some schools that should make the list, Crawford said Michigan, Miami and UCLA are of particular interest. The Bruins have been talking a lot more to him and so those schools are definitely some of the standouts.

"I would say Michigan is in there, Miami will probably be in there and UCLA will be in there, too," Crawford said. "I'm starting to talk to UCLA a lot more.

Michigan could have a better chance here than expected. USC and Stanford may not have space for Crawford, so if he comes through for an official visit, M could have a real shot.

More Top List and Visit News

Four-star FL LB Jonathan Jones has long held Michigan as his leader. While he maintained that stance when releasing he top five, he added a telling caveat, per 247's Steve Wiltfong ($):

He has yet to visit the Irish campus.

“That’s probably the reason they’re not in the top spot,” Jones said. “I say Michigan is my leader, they’re a great school and I have a great rapport with them, but I have to see what everyone has to offer.”

Duke (running #2 behind Michigan for now), Stanford, and UCF round out his top five.

Three-star OH CB Tony Butler has a top six; he'll see five on official visits and Michigan, the closest to home, on an unofficial, per Scout's Allen Trieu:

Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward cornerback Tony Butler has set official visits toMinnesota, Clemson, Rutgers, West Virginia and Arizona State with Michigan, another school he is considering, set to receive an unofficial visit during the Fall due to their proximity to home.

Top-100 CA ATH Lamar Jackson will take an official visit for the MSU game.

Top-100 GA OT EJ Price named Michigan to his top seven, but it'd be a big surprise if he ended up in Ann Arbor.

Four-star FL DT Keyshon Camp, a high school teammate of freshman Reuben Jones, is committed to USC but will take an official to Michigan, per Scout's Corey Bender.